Can King Cotton regain crown? La. farmer leads export effort

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, said Congress is already working on the 2018 Farm Bill to provide "security to farmers, ranchers and foresters."
Greg Hilburn/USA Today Network

Though that remained a fraction of the 800,000 acres planted just over a decade ago, it almost doubled the all-time low of 115,000 acres planted in 2015.

"I'm cautiously optimistic that trend will continue," Schneider said. "The textile market is constantly changing and evolving so we have to be in tune with those industry trends and our customers' needs."

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said Schneider's appointment gives the state a larger voice on the national and world stage.

"I'm really proud a member of our farming community is stepping up into a leadership position," Strain told USA Today Network.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, is Louisiana's only member of the House Agriculture Committee and a farmer himself.

His and son-in-law Ashley and Dustin Morris, who earned the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation's Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award in 2015, now operate the Abraham farm.

The fields are just a few yards from the congressman's front porch at his Richland Parish home on the Boeuf River. Last year was the first time cotton was planted on Abraham land in more than a decade.

"I'm so happy to see cotton make a comeback," he said.

Abraham said the recently passed budget also included language allowing producers to access the most favorable federal crop insurance options for cotton, something that wasn't available before.

He said Congress is working on the 2018 Farm Bill that will set agriculture policy and protections for producers.

"Agriculture is a national security issue; our farmers make up what I call the 'thin green line'," he said. "The Farm Bill should be designed to give security to farmers, ranchers, foresters and everybody that has a toe in the water."

Schneider was elected during the National Cotton Council's 2018 Annual Meeting in Fort Worth last weekend.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1